The recall covers Honda Accords, Civics, Odyssey minivans, CRVs and Pilots and many Acura models built in 2001 and 2002.
Owners should receive recall notices within the next few days. Honda has even asked its dealers not to sell used cars until they're free of the problem.
At least one person has died and 12 others have been hurt when pieces of metal fly out of the airbag area when they deploy.
Thursday's announcement adds 272,000 cars to Honda's initial recall of more than 600,000 vehicles.
